Buy French Gold Coins – Napoléon d'or and the Latin Monetary Union

France has produced some of the most historically significant gold coins in the world. With 18 products at CelticGold, the French range centres on the Napoléon d'or – the 20-franc gold coin that served as France's primary monetary gold unit for over a century and became the model for the Latin Monetary Union (1865), the world's first multinational currency system.

History – From Louis d'Or to Napoléon d'or

France's gold coinage tradition reaches back to the medieval Louis d'or (Gold Louis) – a series of gold coins issued under the French monarchs from Louis XIII (1640) onwards. The Revolution ended the Louis dynasty of coins; Napoleon Bonaparte replaced them with the Franc germinal monetary system in 1803, establishing the 20-franc gold coin (6.4516 g total, 900/1,000 fineness = 5.8065 g fine gold) as the standard French gold unit.

The 20-franc gold coin carried Napoleon's profile until 1814, followed by the restored Bourbon and Orléanist kings, then Napoleon III (Emperor of the French, 1852–1870), whose profile on the coin earns the popular name Napoléon d'or – "Napoleon of gold". After the Republic, the coin continued with the goddess Marianne on the obverse.

France's most influential numismatic act was founding the Latin Monetary Union in 1865 alongside Belgium, Italy and Switzerland – standardising all member nations' gold coins to the same weight (6.4516 g), fineness (900/1,000) and dimensions. This made French 20-franc pieces interchangeable with Belgian, Italian, Swiss and later Greek gold coins – the first multinational currency system in history and a direct precursor of the Euro.

Key Facts

All series: Gold Coins by Series. All weights: Gold Coins by Weight.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Napoléon d'or and a regular French gold coin? The name Napoléon d'or specifically refers to 20-franc gold coins bearing Napoleon's portrait (Napoleon I or Napoleon III). Other 20-franc pieces with Marianne are technically Francs or or just "French gold 20 francs". All have the same gold content and are VAT-exempt.

Are French gold coins a good investment? As historical collector coins with intrinsic gold value and genuine historical significance, yes – particularly Napoleon III issues in fine condition. They trade near spot gold for common dates but above spot for rarer issues.